Community Policing Forums (CPFs) were re-established in terms
of Section 22(1) of Act 68, 1995 of the South African Constitution. Through
this Act, all members of communities were given a platform to participate in
the policing of their communities.

Who constitutes a CPF?

WE, THE COMMUNITY, are THE CPF.

In 2004, for the first time, Communities were given direct
oversight and authority regarding their own Safety and Security.

Essentially what this means, in all designated communities and
in the case of our town, BENONI in particular, is that:

in partnership with all the law enforcement entities, we,
the community of Benoni, becomes involved; committed and active in
ensuring the SAFETY and SECURITY of our town and in combating CRIME.

all law enforcement entities – (in the National,
Provincial and Local Governments, BENONI SAPS, Ekurhuleni Metro Police
Department, EMM?, Gauteng Provincial Government’s Department of
Community Safety, and all BENONI Ward Councillors) ARE ANSWERABLE
(through the CPF) to the NEEDS of the community regarding SAFETY and
SECURITY and against CRIME

WHAT is the BENONI CPF mandated to do?

The CPF ensures the efficient and appropriate service
delivery of safety and security to the community of Benoni

The CPF addresses complaints against any policing entities
on behalf of the community and against criminal elements in a particular
community on behalf of the Policing partners.

The CPF builds communication and problem-solving channels
between all policing partners and the community

The CPF plans and participates in anti-crime exercises
resulting from the needs and complaints of the communities

The CPF raises Funds to ensure its continued existence and
project building capacity.

The CPF facilitates meetings
regarding Safety and Security and CRIME in Benoni between the public and
all the law enforcements entities on a monthly basis. CPF General
Meetings are held on the 2nd Wednesday of each month, at 7pm –
(regardless of public holidays) at the Benoni Town Hall.

Every citizen in BENONI who wishes to become part of the
SOLUTION against CRIME in our town and in our country is encouraged to
become involved and active in the BENONI CPF.

“Crime will thrive and triumph in a community where good
citizens…...do nothing”

How can YOU, a good citizen
of BENONI…DO something and become part of making a difference against CRIME?

Become an ACTIVE, INVOLVED and COMMITTED member of your
particular SECTOR CRIME FORUM (SCF).

Your active involvement in and commitment to your SCF and to
the CPF as a whole, will give you the opportunity to offer your unique
skills and resources in the collective fight against crime and for the
safety and security of our town.

A Sector Crime Forum (SCF), is a SUB-FORUM of the CPF. It is
elected by residents, industry and business, to represent them in a specific
geographic area of Benoni. This is known as a Sector. BENONI has 8 SECTORS.
The members of an SCF are responsible for all Community Policing functions
in their particular sector.

People who live/work in each sector are encouraged to bring
all their safety/security/crime-related issues to the attention of their
respective Sector Crime Forums (SCFs). Their issues are discussed and tabled
at the meeting and then addressed to the particular law enforcement entities
for a response.

For meeting dates and venues of the SCFs, please contact the
Sector Chairpersons mentioned below.

Since its re-establishment last year, the Benoni CPF has
successfully implemented the following projects;

Vulnerable Citizens A project which ensures that Safety &
Security is brought to those who are most vulnerable viz; Senior
Citizens, the Mentally & Physically Challenged as well as Children.

Sizanani A project staffed by CPF volunteers from across
the Metropolis, who, under the auspices of the Benoni CPF, have been
successfully trained by the Dept. of Justice, SAPS and iThemba Rape
Crisis Centre, in order to assist DOMESTIC VIOLENCE victims through the
Judicial System. This project operates from the donated premises of the
Benoni Chamber of Commerce & Industry as well as from the Benoni
Magistrates Court.

Security Companies A project which affords the Security
Companies which service Benoni, a platform to share and understand crime
patterns, statistics and related matters and a forum to table and
resolve issues regarding service delivery complaints, to facilitate
ideas, and implement initiatives to ensure an increased and concerted
level of co-operation & communication between all anti-crime
stakeholders.

Victim Support A project which provides support for
victims of crime, from an emotional support and process assistance
perspective, through the Policing bureaucracy and into the Justice
System.

Event Management A committee which arranges and
co-ordinates requests for Policing entities to host workshops, events
and displays at schools, organisations, religious bodies as well as
sports & social bodies, amongst others.

Monitoring & Evaluation A team that monitors the
functioning of the SAPS members at the Police Station, auditing and
recording their resources regarding both vehicles and manpower, and
evaluating the quality of service rendered to the Customers at the
Customer Service Centres (CSCs), as well as registering and reporting on
the levels of satisfaction/dissatisfaction of service delivery provided
to the Community. This is done with a view to correcting problems

Conflict Resolution A committee comprising CPF members,
Ward Councillors, Liquor Licence Officers, Environmental Officers, EMPD
as well as GPG members, who meet to regard complaints, and who attempt
to resolve these issues at grassroots level, between parties, thus
lightening the burden on the Police and Justice System.